The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) took a significant step towards advancing the nation’s telecommunications industry by hosting the “Emerging Technology Forum: Contextualizing the Network Readiness Index for Nigeria.” The event, which featured an inspiring welcome address by Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, took place on August 24th, 2023.
In his address, Prof. Danbatta emphasized the remarkable growth trajectory of the Nigerian telecommunications sector, highlighting its role as an engine of economic growth. He acknowledged the critical need for increased connectivity, reliability, and accessibility standards in response to the surge in data utilization, the proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and cutting-edge technologies.
The Executive Vice Chairman underscored the importance of innovation, strategic investments, and a growth-friendly ecosystem to navigate the transformative era effectively. He described the forum as a gateway to innovative and disruptive solutions that can positively impact the industry and urged participants to investigate emerging technologies and their potential applications.
One of the key challenges addressed during the forum was Nigeria’s Network Readiness Index (NRI) ranking, which, despite the nation’s impressive telecommunications metrics, ranked 109th out of 131 countries in 2022. Prof. Danbatta stressed the significance of prioritizing network readiness, as measured by the NRI, in driving social and economic transformation.
The forum featured thought-provoking discussions on the four key categories of the NRI: technology (infrastructure), governance, people, and impact. Renowned professionals in the technology landscape delivered presentations to provide insights into these pillars.
Prof. Danbatta concluded his address by expressing his gratitude to the participants for their unwavering commitment to progress and their faith in the industry’s potential. He encouraged collaboration and innovation, envisioning a more prosperous digital future for Nigeria.
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